Apenunga Eco Hotel

The pool loungers were easy to get since the hotel wasn’t full when we visited. Our room was bright and clean, breakfast was very good, and the staff always greeted us with a smile. Everything was perfect.

Really disappointing. My partner broke his arm, and the hospital said we needed to return immediately for surgery. The hotel didn’t refund any of the money we’d paid. The rooms also weren’t cleaned properly. Very unfortunate for a hotel with such a good reputation.

The location and view are lovely, but our stay was so unpleasant that I’d tell people to stay away. We paid over US$400 a night during the New Year holidays, which is extremely expensive for Brazil, and the service didn’t come close to what I expected. We’ve travelled for 10 months of the year for the past 5 years, and this was the worst hotel I’ve stayed in. The rules felt absurdly rigid. One day, my friend and I had lunch at the restaurant downstairs, and she came up with me to change. Reception ran upstairs to stop her entering the hotel and kept repeating that only hotel guests were allowed, without listening to any explanation. Another night, my husband forgot his bracelet when we were leaving. Security said they wouldn’t let him back in without it, even though I was with him, so he had to go back upstairs for it and we lost another 10 minutes. I asked whether guests couldn’t bring someone back to their room after a party, and they said no. It felt like you could pay $400 a night and still couldn’t bring someone back. Brazil is supposed to be chill, but this place felt like a prison camp. The beach club downstairs is always busy. You need an online reservation to use it, and the website is complicated and stupid. The restaurant is also usually full, so getting a table is a matter of luck. The pool is tiny with just a few beds. The rooms are okay, but very basic for the price. With the club taking over downstairs, it doesn’t feel like you can enjoy your own hotel. Staff showed no common sense or hospitality.

Apenunga has a fantastic setting in Jericoacoara, tucked off to the side of town by a more secluded stretch of beach. There’s beautiful scenery along the nearby hill trails, and the hotel has a one-of-a-kind view. The accommodations and facilities feel luxurious, with a restaurant, bar and included breakfast offering great options. Most of all, the staff gave wonderful service and went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and cared for. A wonderful experience for a vacation or business trip.